Pamplona Old Town: complete neighbourhood guide
Pamplona's Old Town is the historic heart of the city and one of the best-preserved medieval quarters in Spain. Enclosed by ancient walls and threaded with narrow streets of medieval origin, this neighbourhood is home to most of the city's monumental heritage, its culinary scene and the social life of the Navarrese capital.
Walking through the Old Town means stepping through centuries of history: from the 14th-century Gothic cathedral to the squares where locals celebrate the San Fermín festival every July. Here you will find the best pintxo bars, the most charming shops and the hidden corners that make Pamplona a truly unique city. Spanning barely over a kilometre from end to end, everything is within a fifteen-minute walk, making this the ideal place to stay and explore the city without needing a car.
What to see in Pamplona Old Town
The Old Town brings together Pamplona's most important monuments and public spaces. These are the must-see highlights you should not miss:
Cathedral of Santa María la Real
A masterpiece of Navarrese Gothic architecture built between the 14th and 15th centuries. Its cloister is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. The Cathedral Museum houses an exceptional collection of sacred art. General admission: 5 euros.
Plaza del Castillo
The city's main square. This grand arcaded plaza has been the centre of Pamplona's social life since the Middle Ages. Lined with café terraces, it is the perfect spot to sit and soak up local life. Hemingway was a regular at Café Iruña, which remains open to this day.
Pamplona City Hall
This 18th-century Baroque building is world-famous for the chupinazo — the rocket fired from its balcony to officially open the San Fermín festival every 6th of July. The surrounding Plaza Consistorial is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
City Walls & the Ciudadela
Pamplona preserves over five kilometres of medieval and Renaissance walls, designated a National Monument. A stroll through the Taconera Gardens and along the ramparts offers spectacular views. The Ciudadela, a 16th-century star-shaped fortress, is now a park and open-air cultural venue.
Calle Estafeta
The most famous street in Pamplona, known worldwide as part of the San Fermín bull-running route. Outside the festival it is a bustling commercial street packed with shops, pintxo bars and restaurants. Walking it from end to end is a must on any visit.
Church of San Saturnino
A 13th-century fortress-church with two crenellated towers that dominate the Old Town skyline. According to tradition, this is where San Fermín, patron saint of Navarra, was baptised. Its porch shelters the famous Pocico, the small well where the baptism is said to have taken place.
Museum of Navarra
Housed in a former medieval hospital, this museum traces the history and art of Navarra from prehistory to the present day. Its highlight is the portrait of the Marquis of San Adrián, a masterwork by Goya. Free admission on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
Portal de Francia & Magdalena Bridge
The historic gateway through which pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago enter the Old Town. The medieval Magdalena Bridge crosses the River Arga in a setting of outstanding natural beauty.
Where to eat in the Old Town
Pamplona boasts one of the highest concentrations of bars per capita in Spain, and the Old Town is where most of them are found. The pintxo culture is the local way of eating: moving from bar to bar, standing at the counter, sampling each establishment's signature bites. It is a uniquely social experience that no visitor should miss.
The streets with the highest density of pintxo bars are Calle San Nicolás, Calle Estafeta and the Navarrería area. Every bar has its own speciality, ranging from the classic tortilla pintxo to miniature haute-cuisine creations. With a pintxo and a glass of local Navarra wine or a small beer averaging 3–4 euros, Pamplona offers outstanding value for a food-lover's destination.
Beyond pintxos, the Old Town is home to restaurants serving traditional Navarrese cuisine and contemporary tasting menus. The star local products include Navarra white asparagus, chistorra sausage, Roncal and Idiazabal cheeses, Navarra red beans and wines from the D.O. Navarra appellation. The recently renovated Santo Domingo Market is a wonderful place to discover local produce.
Holiday apartments in the Old Town
Staying in Pamplona's Old Town means having everything on your doorstep: monuments, restaurants, pintxo bars and the bull-running route. Our apartments are spread across the most iconic streets of the historic centre, from the Cathedral to Plaza del Castillo and along Calle Estafeta and Calle Mayor.
12 apartments in the Old Town
Apartamento AliSol Casco Antiguo
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento Ayla Camino de Santiago
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento Ayla San Fermín
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento Catedral
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento Chapitela Deluxe
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento Dormitalería 48
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento El Rincón del Chupinazo
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento La Muralla Deluxe
Casco Antiguo
Increíble, amplio, cómodo y céntrico apartamento
Casco Antiguo
Los Balcones del Encierro - Estafeta 65
Casco Antiguo
Precioso apartamento recién reformado pleno centro
Casco Antiguo
Apartamento El Mirador del Centro Histórico
Casco Antiguo
How to get to Pamplona Old Town
Pamplona's Old Town is largely pedestrianised, making it a quiet and pleasant area to walk around. From Pamplona's train station you can reach the centre in about 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by local bus (villavesa). From the bus station, the centre is roughly a 15-minute walk.
If you are arriving by car, please note that vehicle access to the Old Town is restricted. There are several public car parks around the perimeter: the Plaza del Castillo underground car park (beneath the square itself), the Baluarte car park and the Merindades car park. Several of our apartments include a private parking space that can be booked together with your accommodation.
For detailed information on all transport options, see our complete guide on how to get to Pamplona.
Experience Pamplona Old Town from the inside
Our apartments in the historic centre let you live the city like a local. Monuments, pintxos and authentic atmosphere right on your doorstep.